Obviously, you don't want a photographer on his first wedding shoot (Yikes!). Your photographer may not have attended a formal art institute, but should at least have been trained by other more experienced wedding photographers...just like an apprentice in any profession requiring a high degree of skill. The amount of years as a wedding photographer are not as important as the dedication to education and the number of weddings the photographer has completed.
I started shooting as a part-time photojournalist in 1986. After collage, a few friends wanted me to shoot their weddings in order to save money. Apparently, my images were a hit. However, I joined the Air Force and the rigors of military life took me away from photography...for a while. When my military life slowed down a bit, I again pursued professional wedding photography under the guidance of Mr. Gregory Geiger, a highly accomplished wedding photographer based in Massachusetts. As my part time wedding photography started to take off, the Air Force again decided it was time for me to move...this time to Southern California. I am again starting to set up a successful wedding photography service. After 19 years of shooting everything from high school yearbook events, to helping bring out the best in brides full of anxiety, I am a photographer who has been through the ropes.